| Notes |
- Anthony was the 2nd born son in his family. His father was very wealthy,
thus his inheritance was substantial, but it was the custom in those times to
give most of the inheritance, titles , etc. to the 1st born son.
He inherited Stanton St.Bernard Manor which is located in south central
Wiltshire. (near the famous Stone Henge)
His older brother Richard was the heir to most of their fathers property and
titles. Richard lived at Nunney Castle located a Nunney, Somerset.
Richards holdings were vast, consisting of several manors (villiages with all
the businessess in the villiage), 40 farms with the surfs (slaves) that lived
on them and 30 farms without surfs, 4000 acres of meadow land and approx.
300 acres of timber. Richard held the title of "Esquire" and "Lord of Nunney".
Anthony was named in Richards Will as "Trustee" of the estates when Richard
died in 1580. Anthony was trustee for 6 years until Richards son (George)
became of age. (Nunney was aquired from "Lord St.John"- Sir William Paulet).
Anthony had much trouble with the family and was taken to court many times.
The Earl of Bolingbroke which Anthony "held" under wrote in the court record
that "Anthony Prater, a troublesome man". Anthony's business dealings were
often in dispute.
Anthony's wife Judith (Ivye) Prater died when her seventh son was born.
Anthony placed a stone carving in the wall of West Kingston Church above her
tomb. This stone carving shows Anthony, his Coat-of-Arms with simbols of his
wifes family Coat-of-Arms and the carving of his children and a eulogy to his
children and all people who were to read this stone carving.
OH MI DEAR CHILDREN MARKE WHAT I SAYE,
YOUR MOTHERS BONES TRULI ARE WRAPT HERE IN CLAY
HER SOULE NO DOUPTE, TO HEAVEN IS GONE THITHER
WHER WE MOST JOYFULLY SHALL MEET ALLTOGETHER
THE LORD BE YOUR GUIDE, THE LORD BE YOUR STRENGTH
AND GIVE YOU HIS SPECIAL GRACE TO DIE IN HIM AT LENGTH
YOU GENTELL READERS REMEMBER YOUR END
BE TRUE UNTO SUCH WHOM FAITHFULL YOU FIND
LET THIS BE EXAMPLE AND TELL HIT ABROAD
HOW FAITHFULLI THIS WOMAN DIED IN THE LORD
Judiths tomb is in the floor of the Ivye chapel with the above carving in the
wall just above her tomb. The following inscription was placed in the stone
which covers her tomb. It was written by Anthony as was the above inscription.
The following inscription can no long be seen because a wooden floor has
been placed in the church so that it could be properly heated, but the above
carving can still be seen.
REST IN THE LORD MOST LOVING WIFE,
THY DAIES ARE SPENT AND GONNE,
THY HUSBAND'S RACE AND END OF LIFE
SHALL BE, GOD KNOWETH HOW SOON.
THOUGH DEATH HATH DOON THE WORST HE CAN
TO PART US TWAYN A SPACE,
YET TIME WILL COME TO MEET AGAIN
IN HEAVEN THAT JOYFULL PLACE.
WITH BITTER TEARES THY HUSBAND SPAKE
THESE WORDS UPON THY TOOMBE,
HIS HAND DID WRITE, THES VERS DID MAKE,
TO SHOW IN TIME TO CUM
HOW FAITHFULL THOU HAS BEEN TO ME,
AND HADDEST SIX CHILDREN DEAR,
WITHIN SIX YEARE A MARVELL TO SEE
ALL BORNE ONE TIME OF YEARE;
THE SEAVENTH ALSO IN LIKE MANNER,
IF DEATH HAD NOT THEM LETT,
BORNE HAD BEEN AS THE OTHER WEAR,
AT MIDSUMMER TIME DIRECT.
ALAS HOW SHOULD IT CHANCE SO BAD
TO LITTLE BABES SO YOUNG,
TO TELL IN TIME WHAT LOSSE THEY HAD
BI NATURE WHENCE THEY SPROUNG
BUT GOD IS HE WHO GIVITH LIFE,
AND HE THAT TAKES AWAY,
LET US THEREFORE AVOYD ALL STRIFE
AND GEVE OURSELVES TO PRAY.
THY CHILDREN'S NAMES IF MEN WOULD KNOW,
WHICH GOD HATH GEVEN TO THEE,
BEHOLD ARE WRITTEN HERE BELOW
IN ORDER AS THEY BEE.
THOMAS, WILLIAM, ELIZABETH, FERNDINANDO, GEORGE, THOMAS
About these verses, in the Limbe, thus: Here lieth Judeth Prator, the wife
of Anthony Prater, Gentilman, daughter unto Thomas Ivie, Esqr., Who
died the sixth day of February, Anno Domini 1578.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Anthony remarried and had at least one other child -- George Prater.
Anthony married, 2nd.Elizabeth (Winter) Ivye, the widow of his wifes
brother, Ferndinando Ivye. /
Stanton St.Bernard Manor is located about 20 miles due south of
Swindon, Wiltshire, England and about 5 miles west of the famous
Stonehenge.
Anthony's tomb is in the floor of the church at his manor of Stanton
St. Bernard, Wiltshire
His wife, Judith Ivie, rest in her tomb which is located in the Floor of
Ivye chapel in the church of West Kingston, Wiltshire.
West Kingston, Wiltshire was one of the manors "held" by Anthony Prater's
Great Grandparents, Sir Anthony Kingston.
Anthony Prater received the manor of "Hook" from his younger brother
Nicholis, who he claimed to be a lunatic. He kept and cared for his brother
for many years and claimed ownership of "Hook" as his compensation.
When Anthony's wife died, Nicholis was sent to live with their sister in
London. Shortly after he brought claim against Anthony claiming "he had
regained his former health". But the court found in Anthonys favor and
Anthony retained the manor of "Hook".
Shortly after the court found in Anthonys favor, Nicholis and "others"
went to Anthonys manor and stole 18 prize cows.
Nothing more is recorded as to the outcome of this act.
It is recorded that Anthony was later "Excommunicated from the Catholic
Church for his "extorsionate practices". He died without reconsiliation.
In order for him to have a burial place in the church, Anthony must have
taken the Kings religion, thus by joining the Church of England he was able
to secure his burial place in the church at Stanton St. Bernard.
Spelling variation of his name found in the records:
Pretor, Preter, Prater, Prator, Pratero, Praytor.
Researched and photographed by:
Gary Benton Prather
Sulphur, Okla. / Frisco, TX. 1974
His wife's family held All Cannings (Can Court) which came into the Ivye
family from Judith's Great Grandmother, Isabell Canning.
This also became one of Anthony Prater's holdings through marriage to Judith.
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Prater/Prather Genealogy* 120,000+ Family Members
1545 - 1593 (48 years)